Kerf-cutting machine



NOV. 5, 1940. T E PRAY KEEP-CUTTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 25, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 MM. m.\$\

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KERF-CUTTING MACHINE Filed Dec.y 23. 1939 NOV. 5,1940. 1' E PRAY KERF-CUTTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 23, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR W10/MIE pf@ 5l. ATTORNEY@ Nov. 5, 1940. T. E. PRAY KERF-CUTTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 25, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 T INVENTOR l hgmas EPI??? ,ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES REEF-CUTTING MACHINE Thomas E. Pray, Chicago,vIll., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a

corporation of Illinois Application December 23, 1939, Serial No. 310,707

15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in kerfcutting machines adapted to cut a horizontal kerf in a mine wall at various lintermediate positions between the roof and oor.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a novel form of elevating means for the cutting element, together with a tilting support therefor arranged to increase the range of elevation and tilting movement of the cutter bar and still maintain the vertical dimensions of the machine to the low overall height requisite for operation in places of relatively low head room.

Other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a mining machine constructed in accordance with my invention;

' Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the forward part ofthe machine, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in horizontal sec-tion;

Figure 3 is a View in side elevation of the forward part of the machine shown in Figure 1, with the cutting element in an extreme elevated position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view of the machine shown in Figure *1, showing the cutting element in a tilted position;

v Figure 5 is an enlarged view in side elevation of the forward part of the machine shown in Figure l, with certain parts broken away and certain other parts shown in longitudinal section;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary transverse sectional View taken through the elevating mechanism, drawn to substantially the same scale as Figure 2, with parts broken away and with the cutting element in an extreme upper position of adjustment; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional View taken substantially along lines 'I-'I of'Figure 2.

In the drawings my invention is shown as being embodied in a mining machine of the track mounted type arranged for cutting out a dirt band in the mine wall and for collecting the cuttings and conveying them away from the ma,- chine, such as is disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,082,119. Said mining machine, however, mayl be of any usual construction and will only be described in so far as is necessary to make my present invention readily understandable. As. herein .shown,. said..mining.,machine. includes aA track mounted truck I0 having a turntable II mounted adjacent the forward end thereof. Said turntable forms a support for a cutting element generaly indicated by reference character I2, and also forms a means for feeding a pair of vertically spaced cutter chain carrying cutter bars I3, I3 across a coal face.

The cutting element I2 includes, a motor I4 having a frame I5 secured thereto and extending forwardly therefrom. Said frame forms a support for the rear ends of the `cutter bars I3, I3 and also forms a housing and support meansifor suitable gearing driven by said motor, for driving cutter chains I6, I6 about said cutter bars. I.

With reference now in particular to the novel form of support for said cutting element, the frame I5 is mounted in a pair of spacedapart side frame members I9, I9, which form in effect a cradle, for supporting said cutting element for vertical adjustment with respect thereto. Y Said side frame members are pivotally mounted adjacent their forward ends on spaced apart supporting and guide members 29, 20, mounted .on the top of the turntable II, adjacent opposite sides thereof. Each supporting and guide member 20 has a forward end which is herein shown as being of a C-shaped formation in plan, with the open portion thereof extending towards the front of the machine. Bearing bosses 2|, 2| are provided adjacent opposite sides of the open por tion of said forward end. Said bearing bosses have stub shafts 22, 22 journaled therein. Said stub shafts project inwardly from said open poru tion and have opposite sides of an open portion A 24 of a side frame member I9 mounted thereon, for mounting said side frame members for ver.- tical pivotal movement with respect to said turntable (see Figures 2 and 6).

The side frame members I 9, I9 and the cutting element I2 are tilted about the axes of the transverse stub shafts 22, 22 by means of a pair of spaced apart fluid pressure cylinders 2l, 21. Each of said cylinders is provided with a depending end 28, which is transversely pivoted to the rear 4.5 end of the supporting and guide member 20, by means of a pivotal pin 29. Piston rods 30, eX- tending from pistons 3l in said cylinders, extend through the upper ends of said cylinders. Each of said piston rods has pivotal connection at its upper end, with a rearwardly projecting end 33 of the side frame member I9, by means of a pivotal pin 34.

. The admission of fluid under pressure -to the cyl.

fof;

L behind the cylinders 43, 43 (see Figure 5).

- racks.

head ends of the cylinders 21, 21 will thus pivot the cutting element I2 and cutter bars I3, I3 about the axis of the stub shafts 22, 22, for tilting said cutter bars in the manner shown in Figure 4. The admission of uid under pressure to the piston rod ends of said cylinders will return said cutter bars to a normal horizontal position in an obvious manner. The fluid pressure connections to said cylinders and the valves for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said cylinders and releasing fluid therefrom, are not herein shown or described since they form no v part of my present invention, and may be of any usual construction, so arranged as to maintain pressure in both ends of said cylinders, when desired, to positively hold said cutter bars in the various desired positions of adjustment.

With reference now to the novel form of elevating mechanism embodying my invention, the

frame I5 is guided along the lside frame membersl I9, I9 by means of guide members 25, 25 projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof, adjacent the forward end thereof and engaging vertically extending guides 2B, 26 formed in said side frame members (see Figure 2). Likewise, guide members 32, 32 project laterally from opposite sides of said frame, adjacent the rear end thereof, and engage shouldered guides 35, 35 formed in said rside frame members.

A plurality of pairs of parallel longitudinally spaced racks 39, 39, extending vertically along the inner sides of the side frame members I9, I9, are provided to prevent binding of the cutting element in the guides 35, 35 and 25, 26 and to maintain the cutting element in parallel relation with respect to said side frame members during vertical movement thereof.

' Pinions 38, 38 mounted on opposite ends of longitudinally extending shafts 3,1, 31 mesh with said Said shafts are journaled on opposite sides of the `frame I5 on bearing bosses` 33, 39 for free rotation with respect thereto, and said pinions are secured to said respective shafts for rotation together.

Extension side frames 48, 4-8 having racks 4I, 4`I thereon and forming an extension of the racks 39, 39, are adapted to be mounted on the upper ends of the sideframe members I9, I9. Said extension side frames are hinged to the side frames I9, I9 by means of pivotal pins 42, 42 and may be folded outwardly and downwardly along said side frame members, when not in use. Said extension side frames may be locked in an extended position by vmeans of pins 45, (see Figure `3).

^ The purpose of said racks and pinions isto form a guide for and equalize movement of said cutting element, when being vertically adjusted along the side frame members I9, I9, as will more clearly appear as this specification proceeds.

The means for vertically adjusting the cutting ,element I2 along the racks 39, 39 and 4I, 4I includes a pair of laterally spaced fluid pressure cylinders 43, 43 and another pair of laterally spaced fluid pressure cylinders 44, 44 disposed just Each set of cylinders 43 and 44 is mounted in the open portion 24 of one of the side frame members I9 (see Figure 2). Said cylinders, as herein shown, are integrally formed in a single block and are slidably guided adjacent their forward and rear ends in thev open portion of said side frame member on gibs 48, 48 projecting longitudinally in opposite directions from respective of said cylinders vand, engaging channelled guides 41, 41

` ment I2, fluid under pressure is admitted to the head ends of the cylinders 44, 44 through ports 56, 56. Fluid is also admitted to the head ends of the cylinders 43, 43 through passageways 51, 51 in the cylinder blocks and connecting the head ends of the cylinders 44, 44 with the head ends of the cylinders 43, 43 (see Figure 5) Upon the admission of fluid under pressure to the head ends of the cylinders 44, 44, the pistons 53, 53 and piston rods 54, 54 will move upwardly along the cylinders 44, 44, to elevate the cutting element along the racks 39, 39 and guides 35, 35 and 28, 28.

When the pistons 53, 53 reach the extreme end of their travelin the cylinders. 4 4, 44, fluid pressure on the head ends of the pistons 49, 49 will cause the cylinders 43, 43 and 44, 44 to move upwardly along the piston rods 50, in the guides I 41, 41, to elevate the cutting element a further distance. When it is desired toelevate the cutting element I2 to an extreme upward position, the side frames 40, 40 must be locked in an elevated position, said side frames being provided the racks 39, 39, maintain the cutting element in parallel relationship with respect to the side frame members I9, I9 in all positions of vertical adjustment thereof, and prevent binding between said cutting element and side frame members.

Fluid under pressure is admitted to the piston rod ends of the cylinders 43, 43 through ports 59, 59. The piston rod ends of said cylinders are connected iwth the piston rod ends of the cylinders 44, 44 by passageways 60, 60 in the cylinder block. The purpose of admitting fluid under pressureto the piston rod ends of the cylinders 43, 43 is to control the lowering of said cutting element or to hold pressure in the piston rod ends of said cylinders against pressure in the head ends of said cylinders, to hold said `cutting element in various fixed positions of adjustment with respect to the side frames I9, I9.

A suitable system of valves is provided to admit fluid in or release fluid from the head and piston rod ends of the cylinders 43, 43 and 44, 44 and to hold pressure therein, Said system of valves may be of any ordinary construction well known to those skilled in the art, so arranged as to hold pressure in both ends of said cylinders when it is desired to lock the cutting element in a xed porange of vertical adjustment ofthecutter bar without increasing therheight of the machine, and that vertical adjustment is initially. eiected by movement of one set of pistons with respect to their respective cylinders and is ycontinued by moving these cylinders and pistons verticallyas a unit.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which my invention may be embodied, it will be understood that the construction thereof and the arrangement of the various parts may be altered without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Furthermore, I do not wish to be construed as limiting my invention to the specic embodiment illustrated, .excepting as it may be limited in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a mining machine, abase frame, a cutting element, a cradle for supporting and guidingV said cutting element for vertical movement with respect to said base frame, and means for adjustably moving said cutting element along said cradle including a pair of cylinders slidably guided in said cradle, an operative connection between one of said cylinders and said cutting element and an .operative connection between said other cylinder and cradle.

2. In a mining machine, a base frame, a cutting element, a cradle for supporting and guiding said cutting element for Vertical movement with respect to said base frame, and 4means for adjustably moving said cutting element along said cradle including a pair of oppositely acting pistons, a connection between one of said pistons and said cutting element, for vertically moving said cutting element along said side frame members, and a connection between said other piston and cradle, for moving said piston having connection with said cutting element in a vertical direction and elevating said cutting element beyond the range of movement of said first mentioned piston.

3. In a mining machine, a base frame, a cutting element, a cradle for supporting and guiding said cutting element for vertical movement with respect to said base frame, and means for adjustably moving said cutting element along said cradle including a member guided in said cradle for vertical movement with respectfthereto, an extensible member, extensible from said member and having connection with said cutting element, for vertically moving said cutting element upon extension thereof, and .another extensible memben'extensible from said member and having connection with said cradle for vertically moving said member and first mentioned extensible member, for moving said cutting element vertically beyond the range of movement of said first mentioned extensible member.

4. In a mining machine, a base frame, a cutting element, a cradle for supporting and guiding said cutting element for vertical'movement with respect to said base frame, and means for adjustably moving said cutting element along said cradle including a cylinder block guided in said cradle for vertical movementwith respect thereto, a piston mounted in said cylinder bloc-k for rectilinear movement with respect thereto, an operative connection between said piston and cutting element, for vertically moving said cutting element upon rectilinear movement of said piston with respect to said cylinder block, another piston mounted in said cylinder block for rectilinear movement with respect thereto, an

J operative connection between said piston and cradle -for vertically moving said cylinder block along said cradle and moving said cutting element beyond the range of movement of said rstmentioned piston.

5. In a mining machine, a base frame, a vcutting element, an adjustable supporting connection between said base frame and cutting element including a. cradle, a guiding connection between saidv cutting element and cradle, for guiding said cutting element for vertical movement withrespect thereto, and means for adjustably moving said cutting element along said cradle including a pair of cylinders connected together and slidably guided in said cradle for vertical movement therealong, a piston mounted in one of said cylinders and having a piston rod extensible from said cylinder, a connection between said piston rod and cutting element, for vertically moving said cutting element upon extension of said piston rod from said cylinder, a piston in said other cylinder, a piston rod extending therefrom and having connection with said cradle, and adapted to move said cylinders along said cradle and move said cutting element beyond the range of adjustment of said iirst mentioned piston.

6. In a mining machine, a base frame, a cutting element, a cradle including a pair of vertically extending side frame members extending along opposite sides ofA said cutting element, a guiding connection between said side frame members and said cutting element, and means for adjustably moving said cutting element along said side frame members including a pair of oppositely acting pistons, a connection between one of said pistons and said cutting element for vertically moving said cutting element along said side frame members, and a connection between said other piston and cradle for moving said piston having connection with said cutting element in a vertical direction and elevating said cutting element beyond the range of movement of said iirst mentioned piston.

7. In a mining machine, a base frame, a cutting element, an adjustablesupporting connectionbetween said base frame and cutting element including a cradle, a guiding connection between said cutting element and cradle, for guiding said cutting element for Vertical movement, with respect thereto, and means for adjustably moving said cutting element along said cradle including a pair of cylinders slidably guided in said cradle, an operative connection between one of said, cylinders and said cutting element and an opera.'-l tive connection between said other cylinder and cradle, and means .to cause said cutting element to move in a plurality of parallel planes during vertical movement thereof including a pair of spaced apart racks and spaced apart pinions mounted for rotation together and meshing with said racks.

8. In a mining machine, a base frame, a cutting element, a cradle including a pair of vertically extending side frame members extending alo-ng opposite sides of said cutting element, a guiding connection between said side frame members and said cutting element including a pair of longitudinally spaced racks extending verticallyv along each of said side frame members, pinions mount-- ed yon opposi-te sides of said cutting element and meshing with said racks, said pinions on each side ofsaid cutting element being mounted for rota.-l

tion together and being freely rotatable with respect to said cutting element, and fluid pressure means independent of saidracks and pinions and engaging said cutting `element forwardly `ofsaid racks andpinions,.fo`r elevating said cutting element along said racks.

9. In a mining machine, a base frame, a cutting element, a cradle including a pair of vertically extending side frame members extending along opposite sides of said cutting element, a guiding connection between said side frame members and said cutting element including a pair of longitudinally spaced'racks extending vertically along each of said side frame members, pinions mounted on opposite sides of said cutting element and meshing with said racks, said pinions on each side of said cutting element being mounted for rotation together and being freely rotatable with respect to said cutting element, and fluid pressure means engaging said cutting element forwardly of said `racks and pinions for elevating said cutting element along said racks, said fluid pressure means including a pair of oppositely acting pistons, a connection between one of said pistons and said cutting element for vertically moving said cutting element along said side frame members, and a connection between said other piston and cradle for moving said piston having connection with said cutting element in a ver-tical direction and elevating said cutting element beyond the range of movement of said first mentioned piston.

10. In a mining machine, a base frame, a cutting element, a cradle including a pair of vertically extending side frame members extending along opposite sides of said cutting-element, aguiding connection between said side frame members and said cutting element including a pair of longitudinally spaced racks extending vertically along each of said side frame members, pinions mounted on opposite sides of said cutting element and meshing with said racks, said pinions on each side of said cutting element being mounted for rotation together and being freely rotatable with respect to said cutting element, and fluid pressure means engaging said cutting element forwardly of said racks and pinions for elevating said cutting element along said racks, said fluid pressure means including a pai-r of connected cylinders slidably guided in each of said side frame members, an extensible connection between one of each of said pairs ofcylinders and said cutting element, and an extensible connection between the other cylinders of said pairs of cylinders and said side frame members.

11. In a mining machine, a base frame, a cutting element, a cradle pivotally mounted adjacent the forward end of said base frame for movement about a transverse axis, said cradle including a pair of side frame members extending vertically along opposite sides of said cutting element, a guiding connection between said cutting element and cradle for guiding said cutting element for movement along said cradle, means engaging said cradle for tilting said cradle about said transverse axis, and means for supporting said cutting element on said cradle and adjustably moving said cutting element .therealong in a vertical direction including a pair of uid pressure cylinders guided in said cradle, for vertical movement with respect to said cradle, an extensible connection vbetween one of said cylinders and said cutting element, for moving said cutting element vertically with respect to said cylinder upon 'the admission of fluid pressure thereto, and an extensible connection between said other cylinder andcradle, for moving said cylinders and cutting element vertically with respect to said cradle upon the admission of iiuid under pressure to said cylinder. f y

12. In a mining machine, a base framea cutting element,.a cradle pivotally mounted adjacent the Yforward end lof said base frame for movement about a transverse axis, said cradle including a pair of side frame members extending vertically along opposite sides of said 'cutting element, a guiding conn-ection between said cutting element and-cradle for guiding'said cutting element for movement along said cradle, means'engaging said cradle for tiltingsaid cradle about said transverse axis, and meansior supporting said cutting element on said cradle and adjustably moving said cutting element therealong in a vertical direction including a pair of fluid pressure cylinders guided in each ofsaid side frame members for vertical, movement with respect to said cradle, 'an extensible connection between one of said cylinders of each of said pairs of cylinders and said cutting element, for moving said cutting element vertically with respect to said cylinders, and extensible connections between; said'other cylinders of said pairs of cylinders and said side frame members, for moving said cylinders vertically along saidvside' frame members, and vertically moving said cutting element beyond the range of said first mentioned cylinders.

13. In a mining machine, a base frame, a cutting element, a cradle pivotally mounted adjacent the forward end of said base frame, for movement about a transverse axis, said cradle including a pair of side frarnemembers extending vertically along opposite sides of said cutting element, a guiding connection between said cutting element and cradlefor guiding said cutting element for movement along said cradle, means engaging said cradle for tilting said cradle about said transverse axis, and means for supporting said cutting element on said cradle and adjustably moving said cutting element therealong in a verticaldirection including a pair of fluid pressure cylinders guided in each of said side frame members for vertical movement wthrespect to said cradle, an` extensible connection between one of said cylinders' of each of said pairsfof cylinders and said cutting element, for moving said cutting element vertically withy respect tosaid cylinders, extensible connections between said other cylinders and said sideframe members, for moving said cylinders vertically along said yside frame mem- .bers and vertically moving said'cutting element beyond the range of 'said 4iirst mentioned cylinders, and meansfor equalizing movement of said cutting element along said side frame members and causing said cutting element to move in a plurality of parallel kplanes including a pair of longitudinally spaced racks in. each o-f said side frame members,and pinions `on opposite sidesl of said cutting element meshing with said racks, saidpinions on each side of said cutting element being mounted forv rotation together. l

,14. In a mining machine, a cutting element, a cradle including a side frame member! extending longitudinally along saidcutting element on each side thereof,l a slidable guiding connectionbetween said side frame members and cutting element, and a supportingconnection between said cradle and cutting element including a pair of fluid pressure cylinders guided in said cradle for vertical movement with respect thereto, anextensible connection,betweenl one of said cylinders and said cutting element for moving said cutting elementY vertically `with Vrespect to 'said cylinder upon the admission of fluid under pressure thereto and an extensible connection between said other cylinder and cradle, for moving said cylinders and cutting element vertically with respect to said cradle upon the admission of nuid under pressure to said cylinder.

15. In a mining machine, a cutting element, a cradle for supporting said cutting element including a vertically disposed side frame member extending longitudinally along each side of said cutting element, a slidable guiding connection between said side frame members and cutting element, and an adjustable supporting connection between said cradle and cutting element including a pair of uid pressure cylinders guided in said cradle for vertical movement with respect thereto, an extensible connection between one of said cylinders and said cutting element, for moving said cutting element vertically with respect to said cylinder upon the admission of uid under pressure thereto and an extensible connection between said other cylinder and cradle, for moving said cylinders and cutting element vertically with respect to said cradle upon the admission of uid under pressure to said cylinder, and means for equalizing movement of said cutting element along said side frame members and causing said cutting element to move in a plurality of parallel planes including a pair of longitudinally spaced racks in each of said side frame members, and pinions on opposite sides of said cutting element meshing with said racks, said pinions on each side of said cutting element being mounted for rotation together.

THOMAS E. PRAY. 

